Shooting at western game

[baltz526]

I always leave the scope at the Lowest setting. Until I need to increase it. No matter if its a 6-18x40 or a 1.75-5x20. All are used the same.

 

[Vince]

I always leave the scope at the Lowest setting. Until I need to increase it. No matter if its a 6-18x40 or a 1.75-5x20. All are used the same.

Same here.
I keep it turned low until I'm going to reach out. Then I turn it up to the power that works best based on my load's velocity.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[joelkdouglas]

I have hunted with solely fixed power scopes for 3 years now. One year with a 4x (Missouri whitetail) and the other two with a 6x (Kansas whitetail and Utah elk). Next year the 6x will be out in Wyoming for elk, and maybe muley and pronghorn.

I keep thinking I'm going to decide if 6x is enough magnification...then at the shot I just don't even think about it. Then it's over. That 6x just works really well, and you put the rifle up, see the sight picture right away, aim and pull the trigger. I don't know that I'll ever use a variable scope by choice again.

 

[Oldtrader3]

A 6x should be fine for mule deer. Before my cataracts, I could shoot to 300 yards with a 6X.

 

[Guy Miner]

I keep thinking I'm going to decide if 6x is enough magnification...then at the shot I just don't even think about it. Then it's over. That 6x just works really well, and you put the rifle up, see the sight picture right away, aim and pull the trigger. I don't know that I'll ever use a variable scope by choice again.

For general purpose hunting, I'm with you. Two situations though when I still find a variable quite useful:

Down at the low end of variables, the 1-4 & 1.5-5x type scopes, and one JD338 has praised, a 1.75-6x Leupold. They can open up a WIDE field of view for that close range stuff, and still give enough magnification for a longer shot across a clear cut, a field, or a canyon.

Way up at higher magnifications, where the target might be particularly small, or distant, but the rifle still has to be useful at shorter ranges. I put my 4.5-14 Leupold, and my newer 6-24 Vortex in that group. My oldest son has a 6.5-20x Leupold on his varmint rifle that has come in very handy for varmint and target shooting at longish ranges, and is still reasonably useful at more normal ranges.

Those two occasions are when I still really appreciate the variable. I put the 1.5-5x to good use a while back on a bear. First hit was at about 320 yards, he rolled, tumbled into a ravine. I'd used 5x for that shot. Had to follow him into the brush, and made the kill shot at about ten feet, with the scope all the way down on 1.5x. I was tempted to take a moment and remove the scope entirely as I followed him into the brush and could hear him, see the branches moving, but couldn't see him!

Guy

 

[Rol_P]

Thank you all for sharing your insights.. I find it most reassuring to hear the majority talking 6x..
When the weather cooperates I will get at a some practice.
Regards, Rol

 

[SJB358]

I ran with a 4X Redfield on my old 7mm Rem Mag before I learned that I needed to have a variable to shoot smaller groups a few years after I joined the MC.. I say that tongue in cheek, but I made some longer shots with the 4X without issues.. Made some decent shots with the variables as well, but I can't see much I have done that a good 4 or 6 probably wouldn't have worked out fine with..

 

[Oldtrader3]

The only caveat that I can think of is that I like to look over my game before shooting. In the west at 300+ yards in the oak brush, you can't evaluate antlers on most deer without 9-10x magnification.